Phillip Said:

Online colleges / Advanced degree programs. What do employers really think?

We Answered:

Unfortunately they're thought of as substandard degrees. They'll be considered if the job description has a mandatory BS/BA degree, however the hiring managers often pass on those resumes anyway, meaning you'll not get the opportunity to interview.

If you must do an online degree, make sure the university has an actual campus. No one will ask you if you did your degree online. UOP is the exception. They actually do have campuses now, but unfortunately it's too late. They're strongly associated with online and I would find another alternative. I've also yet to see an executive with a recognizable online degree.

I see a lot of resumes with recognizable online degrees and I feel sorry for those candidates. I wish someone would have told them before they spent all that time and money.

Minnie Said:

online degrees... Why are all the online degree programs limited to a few subjects (nursing, HR, etc...)?

We Answered:

I'm wondering if Scott T can give us a list of those subjects that absolutely require that we sit in a classroom on campus instead of watch the lecture in streaming video in order to accomplish the exact same objective. Distance learning is the way things are going to be - it's reality, it's here, and it works better than tradition....

Reality is, almost all (but not all) academic subjects can be delivered more effectively online than in the classroom. If the real objective is learning and not socializing, then learning occurs without the distraction inherent on a college campus much quicker than with those distractions.

Almost every college in the US now offers courses online and very many offer complete degree programs. I can find courses and degree programs in almost any academic field online. Even some fields that you'd think at first require classroom time have been developed into distance models that work very well.

The reason that you see more computer, business, and health programs is simply supply and demand. There are far more people wanting a degree in business than there are wanting one in archeology.

There are programs in other fields though - you just have to look around. UMass has a liberal arts and a psychology BA online. Florida State has a BS in social studies online. Boston U. has a Bachelor of Liberal Studies online. Northern Arizona has a BA in Humanities online. There are plenty more....

Look beyond the heavily advertised proprietary schools and you will find some very interesting distance learning oppertunities out there.

Duane Said:

Employers and HR people - How do you REALLY feel about online degrees?

We Answered:

Unfortunately, there are too many bogus 'diploma mills' out there that give the industry a bad name.
I don't care if you come from Harvard, South Dakota Tech, or Bubba's Online College of Piano Repair, you will have to prove yourself competent and qualified in interviews and testing before I approve your hire.
Sadly, too many people only look at the resume and the name of the school, not the quality of the person they're reviewing. I have someone working on my team who is from Harvard, and he's just barely competent, and I have another who went to a community college and did not graduate, but is one of our top performers.

Dolores Said:

What degree should I get to get a job in HR?

We Answered:

communications